About the fact that this one, was better executed than the first night? I think so, after this show we were in the parking lot and I had felt this show much better than the previous night, but he was adamant... And based on set list, it was understandable... But listening to the first night (9/6) now, I cannot feel this is any less. I am reluctant to listen to this one, but feel I must if I'm willing to render opinion! Then again, that hasn't stopped me before!
Stop me before I Opine Again!
Thankfully no actual fisticuffs ensued!

And yet more personal nonsense!
Also, I recall talk about the band having been practicing St. Stephen...(those same folks often stating things were "common knowledge!") which they had teased the year before (without my noticing). I think my focus led by hope pinned upon seeing such a thing! The really funny thing is when they played it in the fall, on my home turf... I was still in CO! All my friends rushed back to CT and caught it in Hartford! Blah! Blah!

Really enjoyed this one, the Space>Truckin was a highlight. The space could really be labeled jam, as it had multiple instances of the band getting into a groove or playing off a theme, rather than the more atonal effects driven playing that is often expected for space. The end and transition into truckin really gets the audience going.

Great sound quality as well.

The middle night of the run and the best show between Utah and Santa Fe. This is just one of those nights where everything clicked, like the X factor was there before taking the stage. The Heads were in the pocket and the band played to that, and all 9000 did the multi-color bob and wiggle. You'll have to listen closer; the sources are old school, but the playing is insane. This isn't entirely sustained for the 2nd set, which is average '83 with certain peaks.

First Set. The atmosphere of the previous night often carried over during runs and this Jack Straw comes out uptempo and firey. The next two are solid (even with Bobby's Slide Practice™ in Rooster). Jer leaves it all onstage for a fantastic Loser. My Brother Esau is one of the better '83 versions and Phil is having fun this set ("he's in realer skates today"). The last three are supernal. After a perfect Cassidy the set ends the same way as the Utah show (though that second set then opened with a Scar>Fire). China Cat is increasingly scalar, bringing 9000 minds into the swirl, for Rider to lift them beyond the ionosphere. Sure hope this phenomenal set is in the vault.

Second Set. A fine I Need a Miracle has a great seg into Bertha. The latter is astonishing and may be the best of '83. Samson is likewise excited. The rest is average '83. Like the previous night Jer searches during Space, stretching it with little jams - one like Help on the Way, one reminiscent of Bird Song. An above average U.S. Blues encore leaves 'em happy.

1st Set:  A
2nd Set: B-
Overall = 4¼ stars

Highlights:
Jack Straw - firey
Loser - Jer leaves it all onstage
Cassidy - seabird flight is rocket launch
China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider - scalar/ionosphere
Bertha - astonishes

SOURCES: None of the source are great. Most have wide pitch errors and a lack of freqs and stereo image (as did circulating tapes). More recently better sources became available. The wagner_miller_113550 has a lack of mids and a somewhat distant sound, but is the best source for the first set and encore. It is just 0.5% fast at Cassidy, and 1% fast for China>Rider. It clips the 1st few secs of West L.A. and has a 35sec tape flip at the beginning of Space (but does have complete Drums). The beyerm201_holbrook is better overall for the 2nd set. It doesn't have quite the clarity or image of the Wagner, but for the 2nd set has better representation of mids and more presence [like you're not at the back]. It has the beginning of Samson clipped, is missing the encore and has a tape flip @6:15 in Drums [less than 10sec], but a complete Space. It runs a bit fast and needs -1% pitch correction.

Your stupid breadcrumb troll crap reviews all over the archive are a real drag you must be a joy to hang around

Seems like most post-drums set lists are even more predictable than the rest of the show. It's kind of like a horse headed for the barn...

Although this is so far the best sounding version, the treble end needs some taming: no way to make it warm enough without clouding Garcia up a bit, unfortunately. Good show.

Many other recordings don't bring the punch that this one does with the Phill feeling.Another good recording.